Easel with storage rack

ABSTRACT

An easel is provided having a support structure, a planar surface for display of charts and the like, and a storage rack for holding additional charts. The storage rack is positioned so that the charts stored on the rack are positioned to be perpendicular to the line of axis of the storage rack. The easel allows for easier selection and display of prepared charts, and the like.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display devices,and in particular, relates to easels for the display of flipcharts, andthe like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Easels are widely used for the display of charts, flip charts,maps, posters and the like, and many variations of standard easelarrangements are known. Traditionally, the standard easel would comprisea planar surface on which the charts etc. would rest when being viewed,and a pair of legs for support of the planar surface. Easels are stillwidely used in business presentations, in spite of a number ofalternative products. Further, easels are commonly used in educationsituations where the ability to present easily customizable material tochildren is desirable. These easel systems do provide a method for thedisplay of standard, pre-prepared materials in a pre-prepared flip chartarrangement or the like. However, by using this system it can bedifficult to refer to previous charts or to arrange for the charts to beshown in different order.

[0003] A typical easel design variant is shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,098,009 with a further variant shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,288.Multi-station easels are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,678 and U.S.Pat. No. 3,680,497. A disadvantage of all of these devices is the lackof storage for additional display materials, other than having thestored material stacked one on top of the other on the display surfaceof the easel. This storage arrangement can be unsatisfactory if the userwishes to refer to pre-prepared materials while having the option ofdisplaying the materials in varying order, or while having theflexibility to refer to earlier charts etc. in a random fashion.

[0004] Other display systems are known in which brackets are mounted toa wall, or the like. These include the systems described in, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,604 and 6,109,456, in which a supportbracket is shown which can hold a number of charts, posters etc. whereineach poster can be individually accessed and moved to the front of theunit for display. However, the charts etc. are again stored one on topof the other which would have the same accessibility problems as thepreviously described devices if used on a traditional easel. A similardisplay system is shown in U.S. patent application Publication No.2002/0116850 A1.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,687,859 shows a map storage unit in whichremovable tabs are used for hanging the maps when not in use. In use,the maps are removed from the storage device and laid on a table, lightbox, or the like. For terminology purposes applicable to the presentinvention, it should be noted that the maps are stored perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the storage rack (much the same as clothes hungin a traditional closet). As such each map can be individually accessedwithout distrubing other maps, and the maps can be easily used in anyparticular sequence. However, this map storage unit does not provide aconvenient display system.

[0006] To overcome these difficulties, it would be advantageous toprovide an easel with a integrated storage rack which allowed for easyaccess to any individual chart, poster etc., or pre-arranged series ofcharts, poster or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, it is a principal advantage of the present inventionto provide an easel with an integrated storage rack.

[0008] It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide aneasel with a storage rack wherein materials stored on the rack can beeasily accessed and moved to the display position on the easel.

[0009] The advantages set out hereinabove, as well as other objects andgoals inherent thereto, are at least partially or fully provided by theeasel of the present invention, as set out herein below.

[0010] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides aneasel having at least one planar surface for the display of a displaymaterial, a support structure for supporting the planar surface at adisplay height, and a storage rack comprising at least one rod extendingtransversely across the easel structure, and connected to the supportstructure, on which storage rack, display materials are storedperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the storage rack, andperpendicular to the user.

[0011] In a further aspect, the present invention also provides for theuse of the easel of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In the present application, the term “display material” is used.The skilled artisan will be aware that this term can be used to describea wide variety of different materials including, but not being limitedto, charts, posters, paintings, maps, papers, newspapers, chalk boards,white boards, screens, or any other product that can be used fordisplaying material. The display material can also comprise apre-arranged series of materials such as, for example, a pre-arrangedset of flip charts, or the like. For ease of reference, the term “chart”will be primarily used hereinafter in this description, however, by useof this term, it is to be understood that any suitable display materialmight be used.

[0013] The chart preferably includes some means for hanging the chart onthe storage rack and on the planar surface. Preferably, the same meansis used on both the storage rack and the planar surface. This meansmight simply be a hanger-like attachment on the chart which can be usedto hang the chart on the rod, or hang the chart on the planar surface.The means can be permanently affixed to the chart, or might beremovable.

[0014] The attachment means might also be permanently affixed to thestorage rack (or rod) and/or the planar surface. However, it ispreferred that each chart include a hanging means for hanging the charton the planar surface or the storage rack.

[0015] The planar surface is preferably merely a flat surface on whichthe chart can rest when being displayed. The planar surface alsopreferably includes a support device for holding the chart in placewhile being displayed. In a preferred embodiment, this support device ismerely a peg, post, or hook on which the chart can be hung, particularlyin the situation where a hanger-like attachment is affixed to the chart.Typically each easel will have one planar surface, however, an easelmight also be used which has two or more planar surfaces.

[0016] The support structure can be of any suitable size or shape whichholds the planar surface and the storage rack in place. The supportstructure is preferably of a size wherein it rests on the ground whileholding the planar surface at a height where the display material iseasily seen by the audience. The support structure might also rest on atable or the like.

[0017] A preferred support structure is a simple “A-frame” structurecommonly used on prior art easels. These typically include two sets ofessentially parallel legs which are angled towards each other and meetat a common cross-member. The planar surface will normally rest on oneset of legs, while the support arms and rod of the storage rack areattached to the other set of legs. The support structure might alsoinclude a hinge which would allow the support structure to be folded forstorage. Support braces (with a slot for movement of the legs) couldalso be included to stabilise the legs of the support structure.

[0018] Other devices could also be used for the support structureincluding devices having one support pole at the middle of the easel towhich the planar surface and the storage rack can be attached.

[0019] The storage rack is preferably mounted on the support structureand comprises a rod on which the charts can be hung and/or attached. Therod can be directly connected to the support structure, but morepreferably is connected to the support structure through support armswhich hold the rod away from the back of the planar surface, and thusallows for additional room for the charts to be hung/attached.Preferably, the rod extends between the two legs of the supportstructure, and thus extends transversely across support structure of theeasel, and is perpendicular to the normal viewing position of the user.

[0020] The rod may be any suitable device on which the charts can behung and/or attached. The term “rod” can include, for example, a lengthof wire, string, or rope, etc., but more preferably is a length ofwooden, plastic or metal dowelling which would be suitable for receivingthe hangers preferably used on the charts.

[0021] The present invention is particularly suitable in educationalsituations, and in particular, for the education of younger childrenwherein the children or teacher can locate a desired chart, and easilymove it to the display position. However, the easel of the presentinvention is equally suitable for business presentations or the like,and thus, the easels use is equally applicable in other non-educationalapplications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way ofexample only in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of aneasel according to the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the easel shown in FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 3 is detailed perspective view of the support arms and therod of the storage rack;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of aneasel of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodimentof the present invention; and,

[0028]FIG. 6 is a front view of a chart with hanger of use in thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thepresent invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method ofoperation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, willbe better understood from the following drawings in which a presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way ofexample only. In the drawings, like reference numerals depict likeelements.

[0030] It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are forthe purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended asa definition of the limits of the invention.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a preferred embodiment of an easel 10is shown in accordance with the present invention comprising a supportstructure having a front set of legs 12, a rear set of legs 14, a commonmember 16 at which the two sets of legs meet to establish an “A-frame”structure, hinges 17 to allow legs 12 and 14 to be moved towards eachother (for storage), and support braces 18 (with a slot 19) between oneleg of each of legs 12 and 14, in order to stabilize the supportstructure.

[0032] Easel 10 also includes a planar surface 20, a hook 22 at or nearthe top of planar surface 20. Shown on planar surface 20 is a chart 30which has been hung on hook 22 using a hanger 32 attached to chart 30.On the back of easel 10 is a storage rack having two support arms 40,one arm being attached to each of legs 14, and a rod 42 attached tosupport arms 40. A series of additional charts (all designated as 30)are hung on rod 42 using hangers 32. It should be noted that all of thecharts hanging on rod 42 are oriented so as to be perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the storage rack, and are thus, perpendicular tothe user who wishes to search through the stored charts.

[0033] It can clearly be seen that the user can browse through thecharts stored on the storage rack, and select any of the charts withoutneeding to undo clips or the like, or to move or remove any of the othercharts. The user can then take the selected chart to the front of theeasel and easily hang it on the planar surface using hook 22.

[0034] In FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment is shown wherein the easel100 comprises two planar surfaces 102 and 104, and wherein the storagerack is connected to the front and rear legs.

[0035] In FIG. 5, a further alternative embodiment is shown having acentral rod 110, with a base 112, to which support arms 114 are attachedto hold a planar surface 20. Additional support arms 116 are provide tohold rod 118.

[0036]FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the chart 30 and hanger 32 of apreferred chart according to the present invention.

[0037] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordancewith the present invention, an easel with a storage rack which fullysatisfies the goals, objects, and advantages set forth hereinbefore.Therefore, having described specific embodiments of the presentinvention, it will be understood that alternatives, modifications andvariations thereof may be suggested to those skilled in the art, andthat it is intended that the present specification embrace all suchalternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope ofthe appended claims.

[0038] Additionally, for clarity and unless otherwise stated, the word“comprise” and variations of the word such as “comprising” and“comprises”, when used in the description and claims of the presentspecification, is not intended to exclude other additives, components,integers or steps.

[0039] Further, while this discussion has addressed prior art known tothe inventor, it is not an admission that all art discussed is citableagainst the present application.

[0040] Moreover, the words “substantially” or “essentially”, when usedwith an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of theparticular characteristic; e.g., substantially planar is intended tomean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associatedwith a planar element.

[0041] Moreover, use of the terms “he”, “him”, or “his”, is not intendedto be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, andcould easily be read as “she”, “her”, or “hers”, respectively.

We claim:
 1. An easel having at least one planar surface for the displayof a display material, a support structure for supporting the planarsurface at a display height, and a storage rack comprising at least onerod extending transversely across the easel structure, and connected tothe support structure, on which storage rack, display materials arestored perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the storage rack, andperpendicular to the user.
 2. An easel as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid support structure has an “A-frame” structure comprising a set oftwo, parallel front legs and a set of two parallel rear legs, each setof legs being angled towards each other, and a common cross member towhich each leg is attached.
 3. An easel as claimed in claim 2 whereineach set of rear legs has a support arm attached to the leg, and saidsupport rod is attached to said support arm.
 4. An easel as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said planar surface additionally comprises a peg, postor hook on which said display material is hung.
 5. An easel as claimedin claim 4 wherein said display material comprises a chart, map orposter, and a hanger device for hanging said display material on saidrod.
 6. An easel as claimed in claim 5 wherein said hanger device isused to hang said display material on said rod, and to hang said displaymaterial on a peg, post or hanger on said planar surface.
 7. An easelhaving: at least one planar surface for the display of a displaymaterial and having a peg, post or hook, at or near the top of saidplanar surface; a support structure having an “A-frame” structurecomprising a set of two, parallel front legs and a set of two parallelrear legs, each set of legs being angled towards each other, and acommon cross member to which each leg is attached for supporting theplanar surface at a display height; and, a storage rack comprisingsupport arms attached to each rear leg, and a rod extending transverselyacross the easel structure, and connected to the support arms, andwherein display materials can be stored perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the storage rack, and perpendicular to the user. 8.An easel assembly comprising an easel as claimed in claim 7, and atleast one display material wherein said display material comprises ahanger for hanging said display material on said planar surface.
 9. Aneasel assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said display material is achart, map or poster.